Reflections of Italy Featuring Verona and Lake Como in Winter

Begin in Rome, the “Eternal City.” This evening, get to know your fellow travelers during a welcome dinner featuring regional specialties. (D) Stay: Grand Hotel Palatino (2 Nights)

On a guided tour of the Vatican Museums explore the extensive Papal palace housing priceless artifacts from ancient Egypt, classical Greco-Roman statuary, and works by great Renaissance masters. In the Sistine Chapel, marvel at Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling and brilliant Last Judgment. Next, wander through the towering columns of St. Peter's Basilica, a daring feat of human artistry and engineering. Admire the baroque spirals of Bernini's altar canopy and gaze up at Michelangelo's dome – still the tallest in the world.

Return to the hotel mid-afternoon. The evening is yours. Perhaps you'll join an optional dinner in a popular restaurant, indulging in a hearty meal accompanied by wine and local entertainment. (B)

Travel to Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis. Take in the old-world atmosphere on a guided walking tour of the Basilica of St. Francis. Then you're off to medieval Perugia, the historic capital of Umbria. With free time to explore, consider wandering along the Corso, Perugia's main street, where gothic facades are lined with shops and restaurants. (B) Stay: Sangallo Palace Hotel

Head through Tuscany's graceful low-lying hills to the Etruscan city of Cortona. Perched on the side of a hill, take in the ornate facades and gothic architecture. Peek at the adjacent Lake Trasimeno, situated off in the distance. You might recognize the city as the charming setting for the book and film Under the Tuscan Sun. End your day in Florence – the “Cradle of the Renaissance.” (B) Stay: Hotel Albani (2 Nights)

This morning, experience Florence's cultural treasures on a walking tour, passing by the Duomo, the Baptistery, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Piazza della Signoria. The rest of the day is yours to explore this veritable open-air museum. Perhaps you'll join an after-hours tour of the 14th-century Certosa monastery, followed by dinner featuring local wines, Tuscan food, and live entertainment. (B)

Start your day with a visit to a historic winery in the heart of the Chianti region. In the shadow of a 12th-century castle, learn about Tuscan wines and enjoy a chef-led cooking class. Next, sit back and savor regional delicacies during a delicious lunch.

This afternoon, journey through central Italy, crossing the Apennine Mountains toward the Po River Valley. Enchanting Venice awaits with 117 tiny islands and its latticework of 150 canals and 400 bridges. (B/L/D) Stay: Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal (2 Nights)

See Venice from the water and take a boat to Murano Island. At a glass-blowing demonstration, discover the secrets of this ancient art up-close and marvel at the one-of-a-kind designs. Make your way to the historic center of Venice and see the Castello district with a local expert. End in St. Mark's Square, taking in the basilica and the opulent façade of the Doge's Palace. The remainder of the day is yours. Consider an optional tour featuring Venice's most famous pastime – a serenaded gondola ride. (B)

This morning, you'll be whisked across the plains of northern Italy to Verona, the city of Romeo & Juliet. Then, it's your choice! Explore Verona on foot with an expert local guide, taking in the city's must-sees, like Juliet's balcony and the impressive exterior of the Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheater -OR- enjoy ample free time to explore Verona however you'd like: peruse the alluring storefronts of Via Mazzini or wander around the market stalls of Piazza delle Erbe.

After some time for lunch on your own, relax aboard your bus during a full afternoon transfer to Como, where you check into your hotel in the early evening. (B) Stay: Hotel Barchetta Excelsior (2 Nights)

This morning, admire the shores of glamorous Lake Como during a ferry ride to alluring Bellagio. Admire the endless succession of historic villas, lush gardens, and colorful villages reflected in the lake's blue waters. Enjoy some time at leisure to explore Bellagio's charms before sailing back to Como.

This evening, celebrate the end of an unforgettable trip with a farewell dinner at your hotel. (B/D)

Your journey comes to a close in Como this morning. (B)